Author's Note:

Hello! This is what I'll call a companion piece to They Rescued Peeta, and it takes place before the epilogue. I got the idea for this from Featherbunny, so Featherbunny, if you read this, thank you!

I hope you all enjoy :D

Chapter 1: Katniss

He won't stop grinning. I'm highly irritable, and his grin, though beautiful and full of love, is my biggest source of irritation. It's something I argue with him about constantly. I argue. Just me. He grins. And bakes cheese buns.

Prim arrived yesterday on the train. Peeta sent for her and she's supposedly here to help me. She's supposed to help me around the house until the baby is born, help with the birth, and help with the baby for a few weeks after the baby is born. But she's not helping, she's just grinning. And I'm even more irritated.

I've never given any thought before to how women feel during pregnancy. I didn't care. I didn't want children, and never thought I would be finding out for myself. But I really don't know how any pregnant women can be "happy" or "glow" when they feel so exhausted. Unless, of course, the "glow" is sweat. I can understand sweat.

It's very uncomfortable. I can't hunt. I can't stand for extended periods of time. I can't get up from a chair without help. I can't sleep for more than 30 minutes without needing to adjust my position. I can't sleep without my leg thrown over Peeta. Sometimes I make him switch sides of the bed in the middle of the night so I can turn over. I can't even help Peeta with the bakery. It's opening for the first time today and I should be there supporting him but where am I? I'm in bed watching my sister grin at me.

Her smile, Peeta's smile, EVERYONE'S smile seems so out of place while I'm so uncomfortable. My back hurts, my ankles are swollen. My skin feels stretched beyond what could possibly be considered normal. How can anyone be smiling at me when I feel like this?

Peeta left hours ago to work on final preparations for the bakery grand opening. I almost screamed in frustration when he left me with Prim and I saw the ridiculous smile on her face, but one look from Peeta reminded me that if I wouldn't do as recommended and stay in bed, he would call Johanna to sit with me. So I sit watching Prim grin.

Johanna would be worse. The last time Johanna had to sit with me, I was humiliated when she made a sarcastic remark about the size of my belly, and instead of responding with an equally sarcastic comment, I burst into tears. After I calmed down, we were both extremely uncomfortable. Yes. Prim's ridiculous smile is better.

The last several months have been difficult. I've been terrified most of the time.

How am I going to take care of an infant?

Peeta is going to be an amazing father. He's so happy. He wants this so badly, and really, so do I. But I'm so scared. I don't know what I'm doing. And I don't know how to tell him I'm scared. So instead, I allow them all to grin at me. Peeta. Prim. Haymitch. Darius. Effie is the WORST, after Peeta. But I think Johanna's makes me the most uncomfortable. It's more of an "I know you don't know what the hell you're doing" grin. It makes me uncomfortable to know she sees right through me.

Prim has gone to check on dinner. I take it as my opportunity to escape this stupid bed. I get dressed as quickly as I can, which definitely isn't quickly. I put on the shirt Peeta wore last night because it fits. But mostly because it smells like him. And I quietly head downstairs. At least the baby I'm carrying hasn't stopped me from being quiet. And I slip out the door to make my way toward the bakery.

He's my husband. It's a wonderful day that will help Peeta, help me, and hopefully help many others in 12 heal. But it's also a very difficult day. Peeta's family will never see this bakery opened. And there is no way I will miss the opportunity to support him.